Posted by Sheshisown on April 20, 2008 at 15:36:24:
In Reply to: "No man can serve two masters" posted by Ross on April 19, 2008 at 16:45:49:
Ross,
As one who has experienced marriage, and who seeks to remain content as a married woman with a long absent spouse. I have considered the scriptures in 1 Corinthians 7. That the Lord has said it is to our profit, and it is comely, to serve His kingdom without distraction. I wonder if the mammon the Lord speaks of in the scripture you referred to, could also infer the marriage union when "abused" in a worldly sense.
This word is given to the married person, thru Paul, he speaks of the distraction that is caused with marriage.
"But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please [his] wife."
And to women the Holy Spirit reveals the same distraction.
"There is difference [also] between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please [her] husband."
If this is the word you speak of it may validate your view of a man not serving two masters.
"And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction."
Using common sense reasoning I also see that, a man would have a double, or triple, or quadrupled distraction in serving the Lord, should he marry two, three, or perhaps four women; as we see in Mormon marriages, and in other cults. Think of the multitudes of words he would need to expend from his usually more limited vocalization. His time and attention spent providing financially for such a troop. Even most distracting, in a good manner, the time and attention, playing ball with, counseling, loving on, and disaplining his children.
Yet Paul clearly states this ability to remain single is a gifting of God, just as the ability to remain married is a gifting from God. For neither is possible in the faithfulness of Christ without His empowerment. But what the Lord has called each one (whether male or female) to live in faithfully is, our obediance.
"But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that."
One is given the gift of faithfulness to God in singleness, the other the gift to be faithful to God in the marriage covenant. There is no double standard here, this is meant for single men or for single women, for married men or for married women, to faithfully obey.
Yet again, each is to be faithful in the state (married or single) in which the Lord has called them.
"Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called."
When I *was* called-- to follow after Christ, I was just as I am now. Separated from my first husband, in that case, because of brutality. He died, I remarried, and after one year my second husband left me, in 1995. therefore I now remain as married, yet without a spouse.
Graciousness is present in the Word still even in this, for Paul speaks of those who are married to live as thou they were without a wife. because the time is short, he further instructs us to live without distraction. I take this as a word to me, thou I have no wife but a husband. Not looking at it as a standard meant only to men.
"But this I say, brethren, the time [is] short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;"
The last word given on remarriage has the same emphasis, to obey the Lord foremost, and where there is freedom, to seek to live without the distracting troubles of marriage if possible.
"The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord."
Then there is an instruction given to any widow, here I think it would mean widower as well, with the same intent to keep oneself with as little distraction as possible--in order to serve the Lord in the most blessed state.
"But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God."
Singleness is really not the ultimate goal, nor is the married state. But rather the emphasis and heart of the scripture is to live without being distracted from serving the Lord Jesus Christ, within the calling God has granted to each by the power of His Spirit.
All that God be pleased and glorified, in which and for which we were created in the first place, whether male or female.
May God approve what He has meant alone to all our hearts. bonnie